Job Discussion Forums

timmyjames1976 · Joined: 26 Jan 2005 Posts: 148

Ok, i searched the forum, but it didn't help. I am new to Tokyo, only here for a few days so far, and I have started the job hunt. A bike would really speed things up. I am a good 15-20 minutes away from the subway by foot. I know you need to register a bike, but I don't really understand how the whole process works. Has anybody done this before?

Jon Taylor · Joined: 09 Mar 2005 Posts: 238 Location: Tokyo

When you buy a bike they will register the bike for you and provide you with a police number which you attatch to your bike.

You don't have to do anything at all.

Get a good lock. Japanese bike theft is rife (I have had 3 bikes stolen).
Even with a good lock the chances are your bike will still be stolen at some point.

timmyjames1976 · Joined: 26 Jan 2005 Posts: 148

Thanks for the reply. The info is super helpful. Does anyone know if I need a resident card first? Or can anyone buy a bike?

Tim

Jon Taylor · Joined: 09 Mar 2005 Posts: 238 Location: Tokyo

Kleetus · Joined: 17 Apr 2006 Posts: 12 Location: Mie, Japan

the place I went needed proof of residency. My city hall didn't have my Gaijin card for a month after I arrived, but I took the temporary paperwork (proof of applying for the card) to the bike shop and it worked just fine.

Same goes for getting a mobile phone if you haven't done that yet. If you go with vodafone, I understand they just changed their policy so that to get a phone, you actually need the card itself. It turns out not all branches are going by policy quite yet. I went to one store, and they said "absolutley not" without the card. Then went to a smaller store that had great english speaking staff and got it done with only the paperwork...so if at first you don't succeed, you know the rest.

Eva Pilot · Posted: Sun Oct 01, 2006 1:59 pm Post subject:

My bicycle was given to me by the guy I replaced.

I have never had any problem with theft, yet.

The guy I replaced used to leave the key in the lock, it actually rusted in there. He said he would leave the bicycle at the station and go away for days, come back and the bike would still be there, someone had used it, and returned it, and left their rubbish in the basket.

I guess it's a small city thing.

Yawarakaijin · Joined: 20 Jan 2006 Posts: 504 Location: Middle of Nagano

Well, I had my Japan bubble finally burst after 3 years. A 600 dollar mountain bike with just about the best lock you could buy... stolen right off my patio. I use to think it was just drunken business men sneaking a quick ride home off of someones elses bike, far from the truth i guess. My patio is hidden off the main street and the bike isnt even visible from the walkway. The culprit had to have been sneaking around in my back yard, its not a comforting thought. Confused

So in the morning I went off to the local police box. First thing the police said...do you have any gaijin friends? It was probably one of them Confused

markle · Joined: 17 Jan 2003 Posts: 1316 Location: Out of Japan

zignut · Joined: 14 Jun 2006 Posts: 33 Location: Bay Area, CA

I know this is somewhat off-topic, as the video is shot in NYC, but it does go to show that your lock is really not going to do much but deter the laziest of thieves. Get a U-lock that can't be clipped with cable cutters, and pray that you live in a place where someone might say something about a guy using a circular saw plugged into a traffic light. Shocked

Somehow I think Tokyo people would be just as likely to ignore such blatant thievery.

Yawarakaijin · Joined: 20 Jan 2006 Posts: 504 Location: Middle of Nagano

Perhaps I should have qualified my "best lock" a little better as being one of the best at the store. Typical wire lock,which was cut, as well as one of those Bridgestone wheel lock thingies. No idea if they cut that too or were content on just carrying my bike away. It happened sometime between 3am and 10 am. Either way, I'm pretty sure my next bike is gonna be one of those 1man yen dealies that in no way stands out from anyone esle's. Crying or Very sad

wolfman · Joined: 18 Jan 2006 Posts: 189

Is it strange that bike theft doesn't fit in to the "virtually crime-free Japan" stereotype?

NorthofAmerica · Joined: 17 Jul 2006 Posts: 187 Location: Recovering Expat

When I bought my bike I had no idea I would have to register it and did not know my own address (still don't really) so I just stood there like a moron.... Eventually I wrote "Leo Palace 110" which is my apartment number hahaha. They let me outta there no problem.

Unfortunately my bike is locked up outside and I lost the key almost 2 weeks ago Sad

timmyjames1976 · Joined: 26 Jan 2005 Posts: 148

update: got a bike no worries.....never asked for any I.D. of any kind.....

Confused

japan_01 · Joined: 04 Mar 2006 Posts: 89 Location: Gifu Ken

Just go to your local thrift store (OP shop in Australia) and buy a cheap 4000yen bike. Chances are its in good working condition and will have a lock and key. I have had my baby for 9months now Smile